Indigenous community resurgence

In this study, I was interested in looking at what Indigenous health organizations do in urban communities, above and beyond providing health services. These organizations clearly have a role in providing community support, and I wondered if this support might translate into political representation or link to broader political struggles.

I chose the terminology of rights in order to get at this concept, and asked people in interviews and focus groups, 

“Do you feel that your rights are respected in Prince George, in terms of health care services?”

People often said no.

“Indigenous rights” is a colonial term, referencing the Constitution Act and several court decisions over the past forty years.

Focusing on the concept of Indigenous rights has been controversial, with many scholars arguing that “rights” and “recognition” are not actually that useful for Indigenous peoples in Canada. Many of these scholars use the term “resurgence” instead.

Resurgence describes the ways in which Indigenous communities are undertaking political, cultural and legal rebuilding. Resurgence takes place without the intervention of the Canadian state; it is led, supported, and achieved by Indigenous peoples and Indigenous communities.

The role of Indigenous-led health and social service organizations might not be promoting Indigenous rights and recognition through the government – but to provide spaces and mechanisms through which Indigenous community resurgence can be supported in the city.

To mark the 150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, the Canadian-American Center at the University of Maine has published a new map, “Coming Home to Indigenous Place Names in Canada.” The map honors indigenous place names in Canada and the assertion of indigenous authority through plac...

Between 2012 and 2016, Ojibwe teenager Adam Capay spent more than 50 consecutive months in solitary confinement in the provincial jail in Thunder Bay. Anything more than 15 days in solitary is torture under international human rights law. Now, six years later, after unfathomable delays and mistreatment, Adam's hearings will FINALLY get underway in Thunder Bay on March 12th. Help us with this special fund so that his family can attend the court hearing. The photo below was taken by his sister Alison Jane Capay during a visit. His face tells how good he felt seeing her. Bring a smile to Adam's face by helping get his family to Thunder Bay. No amount is too small.

Meet Ojibwe youth Adam Capay. Between 2012 and 2016, Adam spent more than 50 consecutive months in solitary confinement in the provincial jail in Thunder Bay. Anything more than 15 days in solitary is torture under international human rights law. Now, six years later, after unfathomable delays...

"Today I grieve for my country," wrote Sinclair on Saturday morning. "I grieve for a family that has seen only injustice from the moment a farmer with a handgun (why does a farmer need a handgun?) killed their son."He went on to say that he grieves...